I wandered over to his bookshelves. There were surf magazines and paperback novels, but mixed in with them were books I hadn’t expected. A thick volume on nonprofit law. A book calledTrauma-Informed Care: A Practical Guide.Two memoirs by survivors of sexual assault with dog-eared pages and cracked spines. A worn copy ofThe Body Keeps the Score.
I pulled the nonprofit law book from the shelf. A business card fell out. Simple white card, plain font.
Harborlight FoundationAdvocacy and Support ServicesWillet Cove, CA
Grady’s name wasn’t on it. There was no name at all. Just a phone number.
I turned the card over. Nothing on the back.
I slid the book back onto the shelf and stood there, holding the card, the coffee maker gurgling on the counter.
Harborlight Foundation.I’d never heard of it. Advocacy and support services for whom? Was this yet another thing I didn’t know about Grady?
“Morning.”
I turned. Grady was leaning in the bedroom doorway, wearing sweatpants and nothing else, hair wrecked, squinting against the light.
“Morning.” I held up the card. “What’s Harborlight?”
He stuck his hands in his pockets. “Not a big deal. Just a foundation I started for victims of assault.”
“How come you never told me?”
“Because I’d have to explain why I’d started it in the first place. The foundation was something I felt compelled to do. Even if I can’t help all of them, a few is better than nothing.”
“And a way for you to try to do some good after what your dad did to all those women.”
“That’s right. I started it when I first moved here. We help women and children who’ve been victims of sexual assault and abuse. Legal fees, counseling, rent, employment assistance. We work out of the basement of the Presbyterian church because the board there understands the need for privacy.”
I stared at him. “Grady, that’s … I had no idea.”
“It’s just a small thing. Like I said, not a big deal. The women who come to us are like the women my dad hurt. Women who didn’t have anyone to believe them or help them start over.”
“This is not a small thing. How many women have you helped?”
“We have a small budget. About a woman a month. I rely a lot on volunteers and grants that help women get back on their feet. I’m more of the conduit than anything.”
“I think it’s pretty wonderful. I don’t like that there were things you couldn’t share with me, but I understand now. I hope you’ll share every part of your life with me from now on.”
“That’s all I want.” He took my hands, kissed me, then wrapped his arms around me and spun me around the room. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
20
GRADY
After a leisurely morning mostly in bed, Esme told me she had to leave to open her shop. I offered to get the kids from Gillian’s and spend the day with them.
“Is that how it’ll be now? You and me? A team?” Esme asked, wrapping herself around me.
“That’s how it’s always been. Only now we admit to each other and everyone else.”
She looked up at me, her eyes misty. “What should we tell the kids about us?”
“I think they’ve already figured it out. They did catch us kissing.”
She was quiet for a moment. “I want them to know this is a permanent situation. Is that what you want?”
“Do you even have to ask?” I grinned, playing with a lock of her hair. “But don’t worry. I plan on giving you a big moment. On one knee. Big fat diamond. The whole thing.”
